Ukraine citizens demand a fast transition to renewable energy by 2050.

Ukraine’s climate activists clamor for the speedy transition to carbon-neutral sources of energy. Activists assembled in front of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy in Kyiv. Ukraine’s environmental activists also staged a rally on Friday. Following the protest, a petition was signed by 14,000 citizens to layoff the construction of new nuclear power plants, and also to shut down the existing ones.

The locals took to many movements to stand against the tempo of the motion of the government. Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Future, are such internationally organized movements.

The Ukraine Green Deal is proposal that promises to wind down on the reliance on imported coal, natural gas and nuclear fuel. It also concentrates on reducing power consumption by 50%. “Our priority is to mobilize and campaign towards keeping fossil fuels in the ground, cutting finance flows to fossil fuels and supporting the demands of national organizations for a more just, prosperous and equitable future,” said Svitlana Romanko, MD, 350.org.

She also added,  “After our 7 cities and Association of Small Cities (160 cities) have made a commitment to 100% RE by 2050, the public pressure on the national government to develop ambitious official RE targets only increased. The Concept of Green Energy Transition is a final concept draft of a State Strategy, which mentions our initiative of 100% RE commitments in the cities, officially recognizing it at the same level and importance as a Covenant of Mayors. It also foresees the establishment of special state funds and state programs to fund the municipal energy transition in the cities. Given all positive aspects, this Concept still doesn’t reflect and defend the rights of frontline communities facing the mining of fossil fuels and doesn’t exclude coal and gas mining from state priorities in the coming years.”

The Minister of Energy responded by saying, “A few days ago we changed the legislation and let the companies extract fossil fuels with no approval from the local community. We consider this to be the right decision. But we are up to follow the land approval and strategic impact assessment before mining.”

24 February 2020

News Landed